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For s/v Rembrandt van Rijn depatures -
Day 1: We will embark our vessel in Tromsø and sail the next morning.
The voyage starts in the town of Tromsø, also called 'the Paris of the North' because of its nice atmosphere. Here the 100 year old two mast schooner Noorderlicht will be waiting in the harbour. In the evening there is time to explore the town.
Day 2: Hike up a trail to the 306 metres high hill Storheia
Early in the morning we will depart from Tromsø and sail towards the north-east, into Langsundet. In this magnificent fjord we plan to land at the small village of Hansnes from where we will attempt to hike up a trail to the 306 metres high hill Storheia to admire the view across the fjord. We will spend the night in Dyrsfjorden at the northern tip of the island Ringvassøya.
Day 3 - 5: Orca's and Humpback Whales and also good chances to see White-tailed Eagles
The next three days we will spend in Vengsøyfjorden and Kaldfjorden, the area where many whales have been seen in recent years. Besides Orca's and Humpback Whales there are also good chances to see White-tailed Eagles, as they also want their share in the Herring frenzy. This eagle is one of the largest birds of Europe and a resident in northern Norway. In the afternoon, when the daylight is over, we plan to make small hikes in the area and hope for some clear sky in order to see the ‘Tricky Lady, as the Aurora is sometimes called.
Day 6: Opportunities to see the Northern Lights
Then we continue our circumnavigation of Kvaløya and sail to the small island of Sommarøy. Also here there are good opportunities to see the Northern Lights and the island offers good hiking possibilities. Therefore we spend the daytime of the last expedition day on this lovely island to explore the coastline with its small bays and white beaches and maybe even climb to the top of the 211 metre high Mount Hillesøya. From here there are excellent panoramic views of the rugged coastline.
Day 7 - 8: Complete our circumnavigation of Kvaløya and disembark in Tromsø
In the afternoon we sail back to Tromsø and complete our circumnavigation of Kvaløya. We spend the last night on board in Tromsø, where we disembark the vessel in the morning on day 8.
For Oct 15 2022 to Nov 19 2022 departures on on s/v Noorderlicht -
Day 1: Welcome aboard in Tromsø, a.k.a. 'Paris of the North'
You will arrive at the international airport of Tromsø where you can take the flybus directly to the friendly harbour town Tromsø. This town is officially located in the sub-arctic region, as it is located far above the Arctic Circle. It provides a fantastic starting point for viewing the magical natural phenomenon of the Northern Lights and for spotting whales in the nearby fjords. If you have the opportunity, it is an absolute must to visit the Arctic Cathedral or ride the iconic Fjellheisen cable car to the mountain Floya. Here you have a fantastic panoramic view of the Arctic town and the surrounding area that are guaranteed to produce beautiful photos. Our sailing ship Noorderlicht is waiting for you in the harbour of the centre of Tromsø, where you can embark from 16:00. After a welcome from the crew and a delicious first 3-course dinner, there is time in the evening to explore the town.
Day 2: Fjord cruise towards whale watching area
Early in the morning, we will head north towards the fjords where the whales have been seen this year. As soon as we leave the harbour of Tromsø, we pass under the impressive Tromsø bridge by where the top of our masts nearly scrape the bridge. The fjords we sail through today are known for their beauty with rugged snow capped peaks and rich animal life. We may spot our first orca along the way or see the imposing sea eagle flying by. The sea eagle is the largest bird of prey in Europe and can have a wingspan of up to 2.4 meters. It is present in this area all year round. In the afternoon we will look for a place for the night in one of the attractive fishing towns near Skjervøy.
Day 3-4: Looking for whales
The mineral-rich waters around the coast of Skjervøy are home to large populations of herring and plankton, which in turn attract humpback whales and orcas. This makes this area one of the best places in the world for spotting whales in large numbers. Today we hope to find the fjords where the whales are hunting for herring so we have the honour of observing them in their natural habitat. Together we will look out from the deck for the whales and once we find them, we will admire them from a safe and responsible distance without disturbing them in their hunt for food. If the weather permits, it may be that the captain switches off the engine, so the ship becomes one with nature and we can even hear the whales! During these days the guide will give you lectures about the whales, their behaviour and the unique ecosystem under the waves.
At dusk we will find a berth for the night, either in the fishing port of Skjervøy or at one of the wonderful remote islands Spildra or Skorpa. Skjervøy is a typical fishing community where the catch and production of seafood is the main source of income. In recent years, fish farming and aquaculture have become increasingly important. The town is also known for being the first port of call for the expedition ship the 'Fram' when it returned with Frdtjof Nansen after an expedition to the North Pole in 1896.
Day 5: Stockfish & walking with snowshoes
From today onwards we will sail south again, calling at the port Hamnes. Hamnes is an old trading and fishing town from the 17th century, where we will moor at a dock alongside authentic wooden warehouses. The view of this town is dominated by wooden shelves on the coast side where cod is dried into stockfish. The sun and the wind cause the fish to lose its moisture, which means that the fish can be stored for a long time. The stockfish are stored in the warehouses where the ship is moored. In the small shop next to the warehouses, you can learn more about the stockfish and the traditional method of drying and preserving. Once the sun has set, you can take beautiful walks here in the mountains or along the scenic coast. During this walk, it may be necessary to put on the snowshoes (a kind of plastic bottom straps with iron spikes that increase your grip on snow and icy surfaces). If we are lucky we may encounter moose or reindeer on our walk. Another option to land is Sandneset, a small quiet town where we have the option to moor behind a sawmill. Many eiders live in this area and beautiful walks can be made here too.
Day 6: Aurora Borealis in Finnkroken
If the weather conditions are favorable to us today, we will hoist the sails towards the idyllically situated Finnkroken. In this small village, you can enjoy the peace, quietness and beautiful nature and you will get an idea of how people live in the high North.
Due to the isolated location of this village, there is not much light pollution from city lights here. With a little luck we can observe the colors and the dance of the northern lights in the sky above us from deck in the evening.
Day 7: Sailing back to Tromsø, a.k.a. Paris of the North
Weather permitting, we will then spend the rest of the day sailing back to Tromsø. Upon arrival in the Arctic town, enjoy some free time to buy the final souvenirs or simply take a walk to soak up all the impressions of the week. If you have the opportunity, it is an absolute must to visit the Arctic Cathedral or ride the iconic Fjellheisen cable car to the mountain Floya. Here you have a fantastic panoramic view of the Arctic town and the surrounding area that are guaranteed to produce beautiful photos. You are expected back on board around dinner time, where the crew has a last surprise in store for you. The rest of the evening you can enjoy your last night with the crew and your fellow travellers.
Day 8: Goodbye Noorderlicht!
Unfortunately, our adventure through the Arctic landscape of Norway has come to an end. After a hearty breakfast, you are kindly requested to disembark by 09:00. We hope that we were able to show you the variety and beauty of Northern Norway and that you have enjoyed an unforgettable experience on board the Noorderlicht.
For Nov 26 2022 departure on s/v Noorderlicht -
Day 1: Welcome aboard in Tromsø, a.k.a. 'Paris of the North'
You will arrive at the international airport of Tromsø where you can take the flybus directly to the friendly harbour town Tromsø. This town is officially located in the sub-arctic region, as it is located far above the Arctic Circle. It provides a fantastic starting point for viewing the magical natural phenomenon of the Northern Lights and for spotting whales in the nearby fjords. If you have the opportunity, it is an absolute must to visit the Arctic Cathedral or ride the iconic Fjellheisen cable car to the mountain Floya. Here you have a fantastic panoramic view of the Arctic town and the surrounding area that are guaranteed to produce beautiful photos. Our sailing ship Noorderlicht is waiting for you in the harbour of the centre of Tromsø, where you can embark from 16:00. After a welcome from the crew and a delicious first 3-course dinner, there is time in the evening to explore the town.
Day 2: Undiscovered gem of Norway: Sommarøy
If the weather reports are favourable to us, we will sail to the island of Sommarøy, which is connected to the mainland by a bridge. With its pearly white beaches, azure blue sea surrounded by high mountains, Sommarøy is a popular tourist attraction in Northern Norway where we hope to moor in the afternoon. Here we can make a beautiful walk up to the 211 metre high summit of Hillesøya, from where you have a panoramic view on the island and the rugged Norwegian coastline.
Day 3-4: Exploring the spectacular landscape of Senja
For the next few days we will sail along the coast of Senja. The island is also called 'miniature Norway’ or 'fairytale island' by the Norwegians themselves. The area is loved for its rugged mountain peaks that plunge straight into the sea, rich wildlife and low light pollution which makes for the best Northern Light experience. While sailing, keep an eye out for sea eagles and other special bird species that occur here all year round! In the afternoon we may moor at Husøy (the house island), a uniquely situated island that is connected to the surrounding land by a 300 meter long pier. Everything is close by on this small island: the local supermarket, the fishing industry, the school, the cafe. The next day it could well be that we continue our journey along the coast of Senja to the popular holiday resort Hamn i Senja. Once the sun has set, we can enjoy beautiful walks along the scenic coast. During this walk, it may be necessary to put on the snowshoes (a type of plastic bottom straps with iron spikes that increase your grip on snow and icy surfaces). If we are lucky, we may encounter moose or reindeer. Due to the remoteness of this town we have a high chance to see the Northern Lights in the evening. With a little luck we can enjoy the colours and the dance of the northern lights in the sky above us from the deck.
Day 5: Looking for whales around Andenes, the 'whale capital' of Norway
If the sea is calm today we will leave Skrolsvik in the morning and head for the 'Bleik canyon'. It is located on the edge of the continental shelf, which, due to which the exceptional deep-sea area, offers the opportunity of seeing a variety of whales in their natural habitat. In the afternoon we will moor in the harbour of the fishing town of Andenes. The landscape of this town is dominated by the Andenes lighthouse, a 40 meter high lighthouse dating back to 1859 and it is still in use today. Interestingly, the Norwegians are currently building a spectacular new whale museum in the shape of a whale! This museum will open its doors in 2022.
Dag 6: Northern lights in Skrolsvik
After breakfast we will set sail towards Skrolsvik, located at the southernmost tip of the island of Senja. Skrolsvik was once thriving on the abundant halibut in the surrounding seas. Nowadays you can find the German World War 2 gun battery which now forms part of a museum, visit the 'kweitmuseet ' (the halibut museum) or take a look at the 'Gammelbutikken ' (the old shop). Because there is little light pollution in this area, it is a perfect location to view the Northern Lights in the evening.
Day 7: Sailing back to Harstad
Weather permitting, we will spend this day sailing back to Harstad. Upon arrival you can enjoy some free time to buy the final souvenirs, visit a museum or simply take a walk in the winter air. Around dinner time you are expected back on board where the crew has a last surprise in store for you. The rest of the evening you can enjoy your last night with the crew and your fellow travellers.
Day 8: Goodbye Noorderlicht!
Unfortunately, our journey through the Arctic landscape of Northern Norway has come to an end. After a hearty breakfast, you are kindly requested to disembark by 09:00. We hope you enjoyed an adventurous holiday on board the Noorderlicht. In Harstad you can take the flybus directly to the international airport Evenes.
